Adjustable, detachable cleat securement apparatus

ABSTRACT

An adjustable, detachable cleat support device panel and method of cleat securement to a shoe which also provide lateral and medial support to an ankle. The cleat securement device comprises, in some embodiments, a resilient body panel having a generally elongated rearwardly-protruding component that encapsulates the heel of the shoe. The device and allows cleats to pass through apertures, which may be circumscribed with a polymeric coating, on a base member of the device. The resilient body panel defines an open end. The detachable body panel adheres to the shoe through the use of a fastening mechanism such as hook-loop fastener. Stitching may provide enhanced stability. The present invention improves the fit of shoes, protects cleats from tire crumb, and provides orthopaedic support to players&#39; ankles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to footwear and more particularly relates to anapparatus for securing cleats to feet of players during soccer, footballand field activities.

Description of the Related Art

In athletic activities on a field such as soccer and football it isoften necessary to secure cleats to a player's feet using more than thelaces integrated into the footwear themselves. In field activities suchas soccer, football, field hockey and the like, cleats are prone tomisfit—particularly with respect to children's feet as children areconstantly outgrowing shoes which originally fit the foot of the childat some earlier point, or which were purchased larger than ideal toaccommodate anticipated child growth.

Injuries also frequently occur to the ankles and feet of players andathletes on the field. Injuries during soccer, football and field hockeycommonly occur to the ankles and metatarsus bones. These sprains andfractures usually result in rest time away from the field causing losesin revenue invested in children's sports, loses to motivation andtraining, entertainment and lifestyle losses to children and theirfamilies, and productivity.

The flexible tongues, shoe laces, throat lines, and vamps of typicalsoccer, football and field hockey shoes—as well as the oversized throatsthemselves—do not secure the shoes and cleats effectively to children'sfeet during hard kicking activities. Traditional cleats in the art areinadequate to withstand the athletic activities to which they aresubjected when even slightly misfit footwear is on the feet of a wearer.

Furthermore, there also exists a need in the art for a device whichcovers shoelaces and prevents them from coming untied during athleticfield activities. Shoe laces commonly come in contact with, or areimpacted by, other player's cleats, shoes, and balls during play. Thiscontact causes shoe laces to come untied during field play, creatingenormous difficulty for players.

Still further, there exists a need in the art to protect a player'scleats from crumb rubber (or tire crumb). It is a further object of thepresent invention to cure this need in the art.

Previous attempts to secure cleats to an athlete's feet have beenineffective, adding size, bulk and weight unnecessarily to the footwear.Such added weight and bulk are undesirable and impede movement. Thereexists a need in the art for a device that accurately secures cleats toa wearer's feet, which is lightweight, cost-effective and easilyattached and detached.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need existsfor an adjustable, lightweight, detachable securement apparatus forcleats for use primarily in soccer, football and other field sports.Beneficially, such an apparatus would overcome many of the difficultiesand safety concerns expressed, by providing a cost-effective, literallyeffective, means of securing cleats.

The present invention has been developed in response to the problems andneeds in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currentlyavailable apparati and methods. Accordingly, the present invention hasbeen developed to provide an adjustable, detachable, cleat securementdevice comprising: a first flexible, planar body panel defining agenerally elongated Y-shaped exterior surface, the first flexible,planar body panel for circumscribing an exterior surface of a shoe ofthe wearer; a second flexible, planar body panel defined by a generallyelongated Y-shaped exterior surface, the second flexible, planar bodypanel affixed to the first flexible planar body panel for circumscribinga surface of the shoe of the wearer; a planar base member affixed to thefirst flexible, planar body panel and the second flexible planar bodypanel defining a plurality of apertures for receiving cleats on a soleof the shoe; wherein the first flexible, planar body panel and thesecond flexible planar body panel and the base member define a heelopening through which the heel of user protrudes; a first protuberancecantilevering forward from the first flexible, planar body panel, thefirst protuberance comprises a rounded forward edge; a secondprotuberance cantilevering forward from the second flexible, planar bodypanel, the second protuberance comprising a flat forward edge; andfastening means affixed to the second flexible, planar body panel foraffixed said second flexible, planar body panel to said first flexible,planar body panel.]

The fastening means may comprise a pad of hooks and a pad of loops.

The edges of the device defining the heel opening may be stitched.

The plurality of apertures may be four or more in some embodiments.

A second adjustable, detachable, cleat securement device is providedcomprising: a first sidewall comprises a rearwardly-jutting componentand an inferiorly-jutting component, wherein the rearwardly-juttingcomponent affixes to a second sidewall and the inferiorly juttingcomponent affixes to a planar bottom surface; a second sidewallcomprises a rearwardly-jutting component which affixes to the planarbottom surface; a planar base member defining a plurality of aperturesfor receiving cleats on a sole of the shoe; wherein a heel opening isdefined between the bottom surface and the rearwardly-jutting componentthrough which the heel of user protrudes; a first protuberancecantilevering forward from the first sidewall, the first protuberancecomprises a rounded forward edge; a second protuberance cantileveringforward from the second sidewall, the second protuberance comprising aflat forward edge positioning more distally from the second sidewallthan the first protuberance positions from the first sidewall; andfastening means affixed to the second flexible, planar body panel foraffixed said second flexible, planar body panel to said first flexible,planar body panel.

A third adjustable, detachable, cleat securement device is providedcomprising: a first sidewall comprising a rearwardly-jutting componentand an inferiorly-jutting component, wherein the rearwardly-juttingcomponent affixes to a second sidewall and the inferiorly juttingcomponent affixes to a planar bottom surface; a second sidewallcomprises a rearwardly-jutting component which affixes to the planarbottom surface; a planar base member defining a plurality of aperturesfor receiving cleats on a sole of the shoe; wherein a heel opening isdefined between the bottom surface and the rearwardly-jutting componentthrough which the heel of user protrudes; a first protuberancecantilevering forward from the first sidewall, the first protuberancecomprises a rounded forward edge; a second protuberance cantileveringforward from the second sidewall, the second protuberance comprising aflat forward edge positioning more distally from the second sidewallthan the first protuberance positions from the first sidewall; and aconvex polymeric disk affixed to the second protuberance comprising ahook pad adapted to affix to a loop pad on first sidewall, wherein theloop pad is larger in area than the hook pad such that the hook pad maybe selectively mated with the loop pad to adjust a size of theapparatus.

The convex polymeric disk may exceed three square inches in diameter.

A method of protecting cleats from crumb rubber and dirt and affixingcleats more securely to a wearer's foot is also provided, the steps ofthe method comprising: wrapping an inner surface of a shoe with a firstflexible, planar body panel defining a generally elongated Y-shapedexterior surface; affixing a second flexible, planar body panel to thefirst flexible planar body panel, the second flexible planar body paneldefined by a generally elongated Y-shaped exterior surface, wrapping anouter surface of the shoe with the second flexible; affixing a planarbase member to an inferiorly jutting component of the first flexible,planar body panel and the second flexible planar body panel, the planarbase member defining a plurality of apertures for receiving cleats on asole of the shoe; wherein the first flexible, planar body panel and thesecond flexible planar body panel and the base member define a heelopening through which the heel of user protrudes; affixing a firstprotuberance cantilevering forward of the first flexible, planar bodypanel to the first flexible, planar body panel, the first protuberancecomprising a rounded forward edge; affixing a second protuberancecantilevering forward of the second flexible to the second flexible,planar body panel, planar body panel, the second protuberance comprisinga flat forward edge; and fastening the second flexible, planar bodypanel to said first flexible, planar body panel such that said firstflexible planar body panel and said second flexible planar body panelcircumscribe the shoe and the ankle of a wearer and partially envelope avamp of the shoe.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable,reinforced, detachable cleat support device panel and method of cleatsecurement to a shoe which also provide lateral and medial support to anankle. The adjustable cleat securement device comprises, in someembodiments, a resilient body panel having a generally elongated U-shapethat encapsulates the heel of the shoe and allows cleats to pass throughapertures on a base member. The resilient body panel defines an openend. The detachable body panel adheres to the shoe through the use of afastening mechanism such as Velcro. Stitching may provide enhancedstability.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, ormay be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthat are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an environmental, forward side perspective view of twoadjustable, lightweight, detachable cleat securement apparati inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an environmental, forward side perspective view of anadjustable, lightweight, detachable cleat securement apparatus inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an adjustable, lightweight,detachable cleat securement apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of an adjustable, lightweight,detachable cleat securement apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of an adjustable, lightweight,detachable cleat securement apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrated the steps of a method of protectingcleats from crumb rubber and more securely affixing cleats to a wearer'sfeet in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics ofthe invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or moreembodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details areprovided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of theinvention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, thatthe invention may be practiced without one or more of the specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. Inother instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are notshown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is an environmental, forward side perspective view of twoadjustable, lightweight, detachable cleat securement apparati (ordevice) 100 in accordance with the present invention.

The cleat securement device 100 may be formed of rigid fabric such nylonand neoprene that allows much or limited mobility of the foot and whichconforms to the exterior surfacing of an ankle and upper foot. Otherpolymeric/elastomeric materials may be used, including woven and/orstitched materials. The device 100 comprises a sheath-like sock whichaffixed over a shoe 106.

Cleats 112 a-b project inferiorly from the sole 108 of the shoe 106 asshown. The device 100 detachably affixes to the shoe 106 as shown,contouring the exterior surface of the shoe 102 around the ankle portionof the shoe and wearer 112. The device 102 comprises a flexible, arcuatewrap 120 which is U-shaped from a forward perspective and Y-shaped froma side perspective.

The device 100 defines a plurality of apertures 110 a-d on the bottomsurface 122 of the device 100 through which cleats 112 protrudeinferiorly when the device 100 is detachably affixed over the shoe 106.The sole 108 of the shoe 106 seats on the bottom surface 122 (or basemember 122).

The apertures 110 may be circumscribed by stitching. The apertures 110may be formed by punching or stamping the surrounding material. Theapertures may be dipped in, or coated in, protective polymeric material522—which may be dapped around the perimeter of the apertures.

The shoe laces are indicated at 102. The vamp is indicated at 104.

The device 100 comprises an outer surface 130 and an inner surface 126.In various embodiments, the outer surface 130 and inner surface 126 areformed by a single integrated planar piece. A heel opening formsposteriorly on the device 100 through which a heel of the shoe 106protrudes.

In addition to securing the cleats 112, the present invention supportsankles under stress, as in soccer, rugby, football, or other fieldactivities. In many instances, the resilient nature of the device is ofinsufficient rigidity to ensure sufficient stability to the ankle fororthopaedic applications.

A still further object of the present invention is to protect cleats ofplayers from becoming sullied with crumb rubber (or tire crumb) whichwill adhere to the present invention 100 instead of becoming embeddedwith the cleats themselves in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an environmental, forward side perspective view of anadjustable, lightweight, detachable cleat securement apparatus 200 inaccordance with the present invention.

The device 200 is arcuate from a forward perspective and defines a heelopening 132 as shown. The device 200 is generally Y-shaped as shown froma side perspective, however the inner and outer sides 126, 130 (orsurfaces 126, 130) may be W-shaped roughly when the panel forming themis laid flat. The edges of the device 200 circumscribing the heelopening 132 may be stitched as shown.

In various embodiments, the device 200 comprises a first Y-shaped side126 which envelopes an inner surface of the shoe joined to a secondY-shaped side 130 which envelops an outer surface of the shoe, with aheel opening 132 forming as shown through which the heel of the shoeprotrudes.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of an adjustable, lightweight,detachable cleat securement apparatus 300 in accordance with the presentinvention.

The outer side 130 of the device 300 comprises a cantilevering firstprotuberance 302 (or terminal end) which juts forwardly of the bottomsurface 122 of the device 300. This protuberance 302 may comprise aVelcro pad 310, or hook fastener pad as known to those of skill in theart, which mates with a corresponding pad 308 on an opposing secondprotuberance 304 and/or fastening means 306 (commonly called Velcrowhich makes use of a pad of small rigid hooks engaged by a correspondingpad of small loops). The pad 310 may circumscribe entirely, orcircumscribe only a portion of the exterior surface of the apparatus300, such that the apparatus 300 is adjustable to fit a variety of footand ankle sizes.

The pad 308 may engage any portion of the pad 310, which allows theapparatus 300 to be adjustable for different shoe and ankle sizes anddiameters.

The first protuberance 302 is bulbous in shape. The first protuberance302 comprises a rounded forward surface 312 while the secondprotuberance 304 comprises a flat forward surface 314 as shown.

The inner side 126 of the device 300 comprises also a cantileveringsecond protuberance 304 (or terminal end) which juts forward of thebottom surface 122 of the device 300, but which juts forward a furtherdistance than the first protuberance 302. The second protuberance 304comprises fastening means 306 for fastening the first protuberance 302to the second protuberance 304. The fastening means 306 may be stitchedas shown to the second protuberance 304. The second protuberance 304juts forward of more distally (or further from the center of theapparatus 300) than does the first protuberance 302.

The fastening means 306 may comprise Velcro, buttons, buckles, hooks orother means known to those of skill in the art. The fastening means 306comprises a pad of hook fasteners 308 (a “hook pad”). The firstprotuberance 302 comprises a pad of loops 310 for engaging the pad ofhooks 308 (a “loop pad”).

The fastening means 306 may comprise a polymeric disc, semicircle, orprojection which affixes over the top of a shoe for protecting theforward surface of a wearer's foot and which has a pad 308 affixed tothe back thereof. The polymeric disc is of sufficient area to cover theshoelaces on the shoe. In some embodiments, the area of the of anexterior surface of the polymeric disc may exceed three square inches.In other embodiments, this threshold is four square inches. Thepolymeric disc may be convex.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of an adjustable, lightweight,detachable cleat securement apparatus 400 in accordance with the presentinvention.

Typically, the prevention of injury to feet and ankles, as well as thetreatment of injured wrists and ankles, requires the provision ofpressure and support to the area around the injured ankle. There aremany known devices that for this purpose, but none which are integratedinto an apparatus 400 as shown.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus 400 isformed from rigid or semi-rigid polymeric materials rather than flexiblematerials such that apparatus 400 forms a housing which cups or receivesthe shoe.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of an adjustable, lightweight,detachable cleat securement apparatus 500 in accordance with the presentinvention.

In various embodiments, the apparatus 500 comprises a first side 504having a first protuberance 302, wherein the first side 504 comprises aninferiorly jutting lower component 506 and rearwardly jutting component508.

The inferiorly jutting component 506 affixed to the bottom surface 122.The rearwardly jutting component 508 circumscribes the heel and orrearward portion of the shoe 106 and affixes to the second side 502.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrated the steps of a method 600 ofprotecting cleats from crumb rubber and more securely affixing cleats toa wearer's feet in accordance with the present invention.

The method 600 begins at 602 when the shoe of a wearer is wrapped with afirst flexible planar body having a generally elongated Y-shapedexterior surface. The method 600 proceeds at 604 when a second flexible,planar body panel is affixed 604 to the first flexible planar bodypanel, the second flexible planar body panel adapted to circumscribe asurface of the shoe of the wearer.

The method 600 may proceed by wrapping an outer surface of the shoe withthe second flexible. The method 600 proceeds, in some embodiments, at606 by affixing 606 a planar base member to an inferiorly juttingcomponent of the first flexible, planar body panel and also affixing theplanar base member to the second flexible planar body panel (in someembodiments, a second inferiorly jutting component of the secondflexible planar body panel). The planar base member defines a pluralityof apertures adapted to receiving cleats on a sole of the shoe. In someembodiments, the apertures are formed 612 at regularly-spaced intervals.The apertures may narrower in diameter than the diameter of the cleatswith the apertures are receiving to ensure the apertures (which maystretch) for a tight friction fit around each cleat. The first flexible,planar body panel and the second flexible planar body panel and the basemember define a heel opening 132 through which the shoe and heel of userprotrudes when the first flexible planar body panel and the secondflexible planar body panel have been detachably affixed to one anotherusing fastening means known to those of skill in the art, such as Velcro(meaning loop-hock fasteners), buckles, snaps, or other means known tothose of skill in the art.

The method 600 proceeds at 608 by affixing a first protuberancecantilevering forward of the first flexible, planar body panel to thefirst flexible, planar body panel, the first protuberance comprising arounded forward edge.

The method 600 proceeds with affixing 610 a second protuberancecantilevering forward of the second flexible to the second flexible,planar body panel, planar body panel, the second protuberance comprisinga flat forward edge.

The method 600 proceeds at 614 by fastening the second flexible, planarbody panel to said first flexible, planar body panel such that saidfirst flexible planar body panel and said second flexible planar bodypanel circumscribe the shoe and the ankle of a wearer and partiallyenvelope a vamp of the shoe.

The present invention may comprise or consist of any of theabove-described components.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable, detachable, cleat securementdevice comprising: a first flexible, planar body panel defining agenerally elongated Y-shaped exterior surface, the first flexible,planar body panel for circumscribing an exterior surface of a shoe ofthe wearer; a second flexible, planar body panel defined by a generallyelongated Y-shaped exterior surface, the second flexible, planar bodypanel affixed to the first flexible planar body panel for circumscribinga surface of the shoe of the wearer; a planar base member affixed to thefirst flexible, planar body panel and the second flexible planar bodypanel defining a plurality of apertures for receiving cleats on a soleof the shoe; wherein the first flexible, planar body panel and thesecond flexible planar body panel and the base member define a heelopening through which the heel of user protrudes; a first protuberancecantilevering forward from the first flexible, planar body panel, thefirst protuberance comprises a rounded forward edge; a secondprotuberance cantilevering forward from the second flexible, planar bodypanel, the second protuberance comprising a flat forward edge; andfastening means affixed to the second flexible, planar body panel foraffixed said second flexible, planar body panel to said first flexible,planar body panel.
 2. The detachable, cleat securement device of claim1, wherein the fastening means comprise a pad of hooks and a pad ofloops.
 3. The detachable, cleat securement device of claim 1, whereinedges of the device defining the heel opening are stitched.
 4. Thedetachable, cleat securement device of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofapertures is four or more.
 5. A detachable, cleat securement devicecomprising: a first sidewall comprising a rearwardly-jutting componentand an inferiorly jutting component, wherein the rearwardly-juttingcomponent affixes to a second sidewall and the inferiorly juttingcomponent affixes to a planar bottom surface; a second sidewallcomprises a rearwardly-jutting component which affixes to the planarbottom surface; a planar base member defining a plurality of aperturesfor receiving cleats on a sole of the shoe; wherein a heel opening isdefined between the bottom surface and the rearwardly-jutting componentthrough which the heel of user protrudes; a first protuberancecantilevering forward from the first sidewall, the first protuberancecomprises a rounded forward edge; a second protuberance cantileveringforward from the second sidewall, the second protuberance comprising aflat forward edge positioning more distally from the second sidewallthan the first protuberance positions from the first sidewall; and aconvex polymeric disk affixed to the second protuberance comprising ahook pad adapted to affix to a loop pad on first sidewall, wherein theloop pad is larger in area than the hook pad such that the hook pad maybe selectively mated with a portion of the loop pad to adjust a size ofthe apparatus.
 6. The detachable, cleat securement device of claim 6,wherein the convex polymeric disk exceeds three square inches indiameter.
 7. The detachable, cleat securement device of claim 6, whereinthe convex polymeric disk exceeds three square inches in diameter.
 8. Amethod of protecting cleats from crumb rubber and dirt and affixingcleats more securely to a wearer's foot, the steps of the methodcomprising: wrapping an inner surface of a shoe with a first flexible,planar body panel defining a generally elongated Y-shaped exteriorsurface; affixing a second flexible, planar body panel to the firstflexible planar body panel, the second flexible planar body paneldefined by a generally elongated Y-shaped exterior surface, wrapping anouter surface of the shoe with the second flexible; affixing a planarbase member to an inferiorly jutting component of the first flexible,planar body panel and the second flexible planar body panel, the planarbase member defining a plurality of apertures for receiving cleats on asole of the shoe; wherein the first flexible, planar body panel and thesecond flexible planar body panel and the base member define a heelopening through which the heel of user protrudes; affixing a firstprotuberance cantilevering forward of the first flexible, planar bodypanel to the first flexible, planar body panel, the first protuberancecomprising a rounded forward edge; affixing a second protuberancecantilevering forward of the second flexible to the second flexible,planar body panel, planar body panel, the second protuberance comprisinga flat forward edge; and fastening the second flexible, planar bodypanel to said first flexible, planar body panel such that said firstflexible planar body panel and said second flexible planar body panelcircumscribe the shoe and the ankle of a wearer and partially envelope avamp of the shoe.
 9. The detachable, cleat securement device of claim 8,wherein the second, planar body panel is fastened to the first flexibleplanar body panel using a hook-loop fastener.
 10. The detachable, cleatsecurement device of claim 8, wherein the second, planar body panel isfabricated of one of nylon and leather.